What Every Traveler Should Know About Flying With Weed

You’ve packed your bags, and everything you need for your trip is ready to go. It’s time to load up on the snacks and water, but what about weed?

While flying with weed can be tricky, it’s doable with the right approach! Here are seven ways to sneak weed on a plane so you can get high in the sky.

Long gone are the days when people hide the fact they smoke weed or consume edibles.  The Cannabis industry is now full of luxury high-brow smoking accessories and a trove of luxe edibles.

Maybe you spent the weekend in Denver, hung out in Vegas, or decided to relax in Phoenix or Tempe, AZ, and of course, you stopped by one of the many dispensaries and picked up a “Lil something to something” to take back home with you.

How do you get your cannabis, weed, mary jane, or vape pen from the destination you purchased your weed from back home?  Flying with weed pen can be scary if you have never flown with a vape pen or weed. 

In the U.S., recreational marijuana legalization is slowly eking out victories on a state-by-state basis. Colorado kicked off the movement in 2012.

In the 2016 election, which was bad for most reasons but good for this one, four states got on board, raising the total to eight states to legalize.

 On Election Day 2020, another four states added their numbers to the growing pack. This March, New York made its long-awaited leap into the legal industry, pushing a progressive bill through the state legislature.

On its heels were Virginia, New Mexico, and Connecticut, all three of which put legalization into effect just in time for America’s 245th birthday party. More than a third of us Americans live where it’s legal.

How do you sneak weed on a plane? The issue of weed in the air has been debated over and over again, but the fact remains that thousands of people get busted every year attempting to transport marijuana across country lines.

Whether you’re planning to travel somewhere in the US or across an ocean, you’ll want to be prepared with these 6 tips on how to sneak weed on a plane and stop asking can I bring a weed pen on a plane?

Cannabis + Edibles TSA Rules

The role of the transportation security administration is to stop dangerous items from getting inside airplane cabins. When they scan carry-on bags they are mainly searching for liquids (that could be flammable) and weapons that could be used on the plane.

The TSA doesn’t have any rules that refer directly to edibles, but there are some rules and procedures that are important to know about regarding flying with edibles.

TSA is not looking for marijuana when you go through airport security. However, if they discover that you have marijuana they may refer you to local law enforcement.

Depending on the state and local laws, you could be subject to criminal prosecution or your stash could be confiscated.

TSA agents are not actively going to search your carry-on bag or personal item for marijuana. That should make you feel a little bit better if you were planning on bringing marijuana on a plane but you still need to understand that you can still get busted for marijuana even in states that have legalized it.

In some airports, you may find so-called “amnesty boxes” which are designed for you to drop your marijuana products into before heading through the airport.

If you have joints simply put them in a cigarette pack and then put that cigarette pack wherever you would normally put it. If you are traveling with just the flower empty any bottle of over-the-counter medication like Ibuprofen. Put the weed in it.

Put some cotton balls on top of the weed then put ibuprofen on top of the cotton balls until it’s filled to the top.  No one will ever know!

Ladies, put your edibles or pre-rolls in your tampon box.  Nobody is looking through your feminine products.

Pack an extra purse and when you are flying with your vape pen put it in the zipper of your purse but make sure the cartridge is not attached.

If you get caught with weed while traveling through the airport nothing will happen to you other than the TSA will call local authorities and the police will throw the weed out and you will probably miss your flight.  

As I stated above TSA’s focus is on terrorism and security threats to the aircraft and its passengers. TSA’s screening procedures, which are governed by federal law, are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.

Unless you are traveling with large amounts of weed or edibles it will probably go undetected in the screening process.

When asked if you’re carrying marijuana, play dumb and say something like, I don’t know what you mean. Marijuana? Do you think I have drugs? No way! Don’t be ridiculous.

Can You Bring Edibles on a Plane?

Cannabis of any kind, even medical, even in states where it’s legal, falls under federal jurisdiction when an individual goes through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint.

At that point, the person enters the federally controlled territory of the airport, the aircraft, and its airspace. And cannabis and most cannabis-infused products are illegal under federal law.

According to the TSA, the only cannabis-related products that are legal (in either carry-on or checked baggage) are those that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC or medication that has been approved by the FDA.

The agency’s security officers don’t search for drugs, but if they discover any during screening, they’ll let a law enforcement officer handle it. 

1. How Much Weed or Ediles Should You Fly With

Use common sense please folk!  Don’t fly a duffle bag full of edibles and flowers.

Buy only enough weed for your trip. If you’re in it for anything more than three days, consider buying an ounce or less, and putting it into multiple containers (for example, one in each pair of shoes).

Not only will that help you avoid overpacking, but it also means you can take advantage of TSA’s 3-ounce limit by taking out what you need without having to get rid of everything else.

It’s a federal crime. Only fly with how much you will actually need while you are traveling.  I suggest only flying with a small amount which is considered one-eighth.

Simply stated, an eighth of weed by weight is an eighth of an ounce. For reference, an empty soda can weighs about half an ounce.

By grams, an eighth of an ounce comes in at about 3.5 grams, which is just a bit more than your average penny that weighs 3 grams.

If you don’t want to carry your weed with you onto your flight, bring an empty condom and fill it with weed. You could then roll up some plastic wrap into an egg shape and slip it inside a condom before rolling it down again.

When security pats you down for prohibited items, they’ll only find what looks like one of those condoms people use for safe sex. (Bonus: Use one without lubricant so your item will slide through airport scanners more easily.)

If you are packing edibles you can put them in your carry-on or in your checked luggage. Simply purchase a bag of Haribo gummies from Walgreens or any convenience store and empty the contents and replace them with your edibles.

No one will know the difference because edibles look exactly like candy from sour apple gummies, and mixed berries, to mango gummy rounds.

No need to spend your entire flight nervous, looking around, and freaking out thinking the police will be waiting on you once you land at your destination. 

Carry-on bags are likely to go unsearched while we know TSA will randomly go through your luggage and even if they do how will they really know the gummies are weed vs regular candy you purchased to snack on while you are on vacation?

The same goes for hiding the flower as well.  TSA will probably not check your carry on so I suggest putting your flower buds in a pill bottle whether you are carrying on or checking your luggage.

Put the pill bottle in your makeup bag and you are all set.  I promise you nobody is searching random pill bottles for weed of any kind. 

3. How To Hide Your Vape Pen

If you’re traveling with vape cartridges make sure you do not have any liquids over 3 ounces in your carry-on bag. Remember, you do not want to give TSA a reason to check your bags and accidentally stumble across your weed, edibles, or vape pen.

I suggest separating the pen from the cartridge and simply putting them in two different locations.

Packaging your weed may not make it 100% invisible—but it will make it tougher for security agents and airline staff to detect.

This isn’t just about keeping yourself out of trouble: if you take careful steps, packaging your weed well can also help keep you from losing your stash or vape pen during transit.

The TSA is not actively looking for weed.

4. Choosing Your Flight Time Wisely

Choosing an appropriate flight time is key to sneaking weed onto a plane. A full flight means more people in close proximity, increasing your chances of being caught.

Avoid traveling between 11 am and 4 pm because that’s when most business travelers depart and arrive—and they’re unlikely to pay attention to whether you smell like weed or not.

5. Be Respectful of TSA Agents

While it’s understandable that you want to try and sneak your goods past TSA agents, there are ways that you can do so without being disrespectful to others.

With these six tips in mind, you should be able to take advantage of flying with weed—and still avoid getting into trouble with TSA.

6. Don’t Be Rude When Questioned

You may have every right in the world to be carrying your weed, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be respectful and courteous when you’re questioned by security.

If you are being questioned, do not get aggressive or rude. Keep your cool and don’t act like you think they have no right to ask you what they are asking.

Once You Make it to Your Destination Then What?

Once you land you are technically in the clear so just be safe if you smoke weed in a foreign country and research the laws of the destination you are traveling to.

Also, make sure you put your edibles or weed in the hotel safe or you can purchase a diversion can prior to leaving and no one will think to look inside of a can of coke, deodorant, or even peanut butter jar.

18 States Where You Can Legally Purchase Recreational Weed

These are the 18 states, plus Washington, D.C., that allow recreational weed use—and medical marijuana, as well. New Mexico, Connecticut, and Virginia are the most recent additions, with legal weed permitted to residents in all three as of July 1.

Laws about possession, distribution, personal cultivation, and concentrates differ across state lines. NORML, a nonprofit group that advocates for marijuana reform, has a more detailed, state-by-state rundown.

Alaska

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six marijuana plants per household, but no more than three can be mature and flowering at a time.

Arizona

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow five or fewer plants per household.

California

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow five or fewer marijuana plants per household.

Colorado

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per household, but no more than three can be mature at a time.

Connecticut

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana in public or up to five ounces in private.
• It will remain illegal to grow marijuana plants at home until July 2023. However, registered medical marijuana patients will be permitted home cultivation in fall 2021.

District of Columbia

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per household, but no more than three can be mature at a time.

Illinois

• It is legal for Illinois residents 21 and over to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana (roughly 1.06 ounces). Non-Illinois residents 21 and over can only possess 15 grams of marijuana (roughly half an ounce).
• It is legal for registered medical marijuana patients to grow up to five plants per household that are five inches or taller.

Maine

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to have up to three flowering plants and 12 immature plants growing per household.

Massachusetts

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana outside the home, and up to 10 ounces of marijuana inside the home.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per household.

Michigan

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana outside the home, and up to 10 ounces of marijuana inside the home.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow 11 or fewer plants per household.

Montana

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to four plants for personal use.

New Jersey

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to six ounces of marijuana.
• It is illegal to cultivate marijuana for personal use without a license.

New Mexico

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants for personal use at home, with no more than 12 plants per household.

New York

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to three ounces of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six mature plants and six immature plants per household.

Nevada

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per household if they do not live within 25 miles of a marijuana dispensary.

Oregon

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana outside the home, and up to eight ounces of homegrown marijuana inside the home.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to four plants per household.

Vermont

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per household, only two of which can be mature.

Virginia

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
• It is legal for adults 21 and over to grow up to four plants in a primary residence, as long as those plants are not visible to the public.

Washington

• It is legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in private.
• It is illegal to grow plants.

The 18 States with Legal Medical Marijuana

In addition to the 18 states plus D.C. with legalized recreational weed—and therefore legal medical marijuana—these 18 states have legalized just medical marijuana. NORML has the full rundown of each state’s law.

• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• West Virginia

Conclusion of How To Fly With Weed

Flying with edibles is a crime but most likely if you are caught TSA nothing will probably happen.  TSA agents may call local authorities and they will make you throw the weed away.

States and airports have different policies and TSA agents have different inclinations in how they handle their “discovery” of marijuana. Therefore, it is really hard to guarantee how each case will play out.

But I would boil it down to answering the following three questions:

• Has the state you are departing from legalized marijuana?
• Are you within the state’s legal limits of personal possession of marijuana (quantity and age)?
• Does the airport allow passengers to possess marijuana?

A lot of people head through airport security every day and a lot of them have some type of marijuana with them.

Yet, nothing at all happens. It’s entirely possible that you could get through airport security without any issues whatsoever.

DO YOU NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

YES! Travel Insurance is important no matter where you are traveling because accidents happen and you should always travel with insurance.

I got extremely sick in the Czech Republic and that was the one time I decided to forego travel insurance and I racked up thousands of dollars in medical bills and they wanted their money before I would even be seen by the ER Doctors. 

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Have you flown with feed with weed, flowers, or edibles? I would love to hear your thoughts on flying with a vape pen so leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram